Everyday Informal Language

Fluency Activity

Talk about 3 of the suggested topics for about 1 minute each. 

Don't forget to use expressions in your speech such as:

To be honest / As far as I'm concerned / Definitely / In my view / If you ask me / controversial issue / if I could take any measure to ensure or prevent / governments are (not) taking steps to ...    

Word Lists from Dictionary.com

Our Word Lists include flash cards and multiple choice quizzes—they’ll help you retain word definitions and learn how to use the words in conversation, too. With these features, you’ll be interview-ready in no time!

Revise Personality Vocabulary with the DiSC Model

What does DiSC mean?

DiSC is an acronym that stands for the four main personality profiles described in the DiSC model: (D)ominance, (i)nfluence, (S)teadiness and (C)onscientiousness.

People with D personalities tend to be confident and place an emphasis on accomplishing bottom-line results.

People with i personalities tend to be more open and place an emphasis on relationships and influencing or persuading others.

People with S personalities tend to be dependable and place the emphasis on cooperation and sincerity.

People with C personalities tend to place the emphasis on quality, accuracy, expertise, and competency.

Everything DiSC also measures priorities (the words around the circle), providing more nuanced and memorable feedback in profiles.

Explore the DiSC Styles

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a celebration held by African American people in the USA from 26th December to 1st January to honour their African background. Learn about it with this activity! And much more on Wikipedia's entry.

EL PAÍS in English

  Dear readers,

The image of the week was no doubt that of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressing the US Congress to request more support for the war effort. We analyzed how America's pledge to deliver a Patriot surface-to-air missile tactical defense system, one of the most advanced in the world, will help Kiyv - and aggravate Moscow.

In the aftermath of recent events in Peru, we took a look back at the legacy of the last 10 presidents of the Andean nation, most of whom suffered tragic fates, including jail terms, exile, or death by suicide.

Elsewhere, an EL PAÍS reporter joined a Colombian expert on a climb to check on one of the world's last remaining tropical glaciers, and our Berlin correspondent took a dive into a fascinating exhibition on the extravagant millionaire Heinrich Schliemann, who 'discovered' the city of Troy and used his fortune to search for Homer’s heroes.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

You can read too:

• Qatar World Cup 2022: Leo Messi’s title-winning tournament in statistics
• To rest is human, even if modern work culture brands it as shameful
• Key political issues that will define 2023

A Christmas Read

A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens [By courtesy of AAEOICT (Asociación de Amigos y Alumnos de la EOI de Cartagena)]

Merry Christmas!!!

Get Giggly with it

17 Funny Adjectives To Make You Laugh

Dictionary.com's Word of the Year...

It’s one of the oldest words in the English language. One that’s fundamental not just to our vocabulary but to who we are as humans. And yet it’s a word that continues to be a source of intense personal importance and societal debate. It’s a word that’s inseparable from the story of 2022. 

Check it here!

This is an IMPORTANT Entry

Read about this imPORTant word. And see words related to it: big, critical, crucial, decisive, essential, extensive, far-reaching, great, imperative, influential, large, meaningful, necessary, paramount, relevant, serious, significant, urgent, vital, effective

Dear readers,

The crisis in Peru keeps deepening: around 20 people were dead as of Friday following clashes between protesters and the police, and President Boluarte declared a nationwide state of emergency in a bid to quell the unrest.

In the US, authorities issued an arrest warrant for disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was detained in the Bahamas and has been charged back home with eight counts of fraud and conspiracy.

In brighter news, scientists announced a breakthrough in the decades-long search for clean, abundant energy after they achieved "ignition" through nuclear fusion, generating more energy than was consumed.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss:

• Saul Martínez-Horta: ‘I haven’t come across any paranormal phenomena that cannot be explained by a damaged brain’
• A technology that makes water out of air
• How are women treated in Qatar? 
• Are you a workaholic? Keys to discovering a work addiction

Next Week at the EOI...

JUGUETEA, contagia sonrisas, contagia ilusión: Cartagena Townhall Department of Social Services has contacted us asking for our collaboration, so we have decided to go ahead with the TOY collection. The (new) toys can be brought throughout next week. On December 23 at 12:30 p.m. we are invited to participate in the official act of gratitude. The collection point for the toys will be the cafeteria and a box will be placed behind the bar to identify the exact location for them.

C2 Outside the Box

Syllable Quiz

 Take this syllable quiz and if you're not happy with your result, learn the rules here.

Redefining Words

Cambridge Dictionary Updates definition of "woman".

BBC Radio 4

Four-minute reads

Leverkus: The humanitarian efforts of a British consul during the Spanish Civil War

Next Monday, December 19 at 5 pm, the presentation in English of the book Leverkus: The humanitarian efforts of a British consul during the Spanish Civil War will take place at the Assembly Hall (next door from our classroom). The book is William Leverkus's diary. This Englishman was the British consul in Cartagena during the civil war. The book will be presented in English by its translator, Antonio Cortiñas. Due to its clear connection with the history of our city, it can be an extremely interesting event. 

Don't miss it!

[Excerpt from the book]

Weather & Atmosphere Idioms

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EL PAÍS in English

Dear readers,

EL PAÍS has spoken with a close aide of Peruvian president Pedro Castillo, who on Wednesday attempted a short-lived self-coup, to get inside views about the tense few hours that preceded his arrest.

We also analyzed what Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's corruption conviction means for Argentina's politics, and looked at an ambitious project to identify the bodies of missing migrants who perished on their way to the United States.

This week we also explored a new solo show in San Diego by renowned Mexican painter Sergio Hernández, who draws inspiration for his dream-like universes from his native Oaxaca.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss Why are some people so bad at giving presents?, Philosopher José Antonio Marina: ‘The fact that happiness has become fashionable is catastrophic’ or Helga Nowotny, sociologist: ‘The metaverse will be a time machine’ either.

School Supplies for the Islands of Mana & Wayaseba

We'll be collecting donated school supplies for the islands of Mana and Wayaseba, in Fiji: from English textbooks, to any type of writing material, notebooks, pencil cases, backpacks, and even computers. The place will be the CANTINA space at the school.

How we Talk

He could talk the hind legs off a donkey

Has the Cat Got your tongue?

C2 Climate Metaphors

Do this quiz and check your answers at the end. Remember:

• When the word before the answers is an indeterminate pronoun, it may be a or an.
• Some questions may have more than one correct answer.

The Guardian: Morocco-Spain World Cup Last 16 Match Report

Morocco caused a seismic upset by knocking out Spain on penalties 3-0, after the game had finished goalless after 120 minutes

Spanish News in EL PAÍS

Dear readers,

This week we spoke with Serhii Plokhy, director of the Institute for Ukrainian Research at Harvard University, who in a 2021 book foreword had already warned that conflict with Russia posed the greatest threat to the international order since World War II.

In a joint investigation with Lighthouse Reports, EL PAÍS created a 3D reconstruction of the migrant tragedy at the border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave city of Melilla this past summer.

We also looked at a new project to determine Columbus' lineage once and for all, and featured a historic wine tasting at Spain's famous Marqués de Riscal winery, which opened bottles dating all the way back to 1862.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss The best new music of November: Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and Niño de Elche or Nine expert tips for packing your suitcase.

Which do you prefer?

prefer /prɪˈfɜː(r) / verb [T] -rr- CHOOSE to like, choose or want one thing rather than another

[ + -ing verb ] He prefers watching rugby to playing it.

[ + to infinitive ] I'd prefer not to discuss this issue.

formal I'd prefer you not to smoke (= I would like it better if you did not smoke), please.

·  to prefer sth TO sth;           

I prefer cats to dogs;    I prefer reading to watching TV

·  to prefer to + INF                

I prefer to live alone;     I’d prefer to stay at home;

·  preferir QUE algo/algn + SUBJ; I’d prefer it to rain now rather than during the game; I won’t go if you’d prefer me to stay;

·  to prefer THAT preferir QUE + SUBJ; they prefer that it should not be discussed; I’d prefer it if you went now

C1 (group H) Important Notice

This afernoon C1 class is due to start at 5 pm (not 4 pm as usual). The reason is the union teacher election held today. Teachers in the afternoon shift will vote from 3 to 5 and, during the hours scheduled for voting, school teaching activity will be suspended.

Languages in the World

Learn more about this topic here.